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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Spring Setbacks

I rolled newspaper pots and bought potting soil. I planted broccoli, cauliflower, lemon zucchini and an assortment of hot peppers. I felt envigorated and brave. Energized by the promise of a new growing season.

And since we don't have a lot of space in sunny windowsills where curious hands won't poke and pinch tiny stalks, I put my two flats of seeds in the basement. I watered them every two or three days and really tried to avoid over-watering. The cauliflower germinated.

Then I was crouched over examining my little seedlings yesterday and I realized they smelled musty. Upon closer inspection, the outside of all of the newspaper pots was covered in white fuzz.
Mould!
Gross!

I dumped them all into my garden and turned the soil over with a spade.
I am saddened at the failure. Saddened at the loss of time. Saddened at the waste of seeds.
I am also disheartened at the slowing of my momentum.

But then a colleague came to me and announced she planted her spinach last weekend. And her peas!
I smiled. Alright then! There may still be snow in Ottawa, but Miss Greenish Thumb is going to put up new fencing this weekend and plant some peas in Burlington.